Adelaide 500

The Hon. B.R. HOOD (15:28): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before addressing a question to the Minister for Sport, Rec and Racing regarding the Adelaide 500 car race.

Leave granted.

The Hon. B.R. HOOD: According to an article in The Advertiser on 15 March, Aaron Hickmann denied that VAILO had been removed as a naming sponsor from the Adelaide 500 but was instead mutually not extending, or a conscious uncoupling. The same article states that it was understood that international, national and local brands have been in talks that were conducted before VAILO's administration. My questions to the minister are:

1. When did the discussions around their sponsorship with VAILO begin?

2. When did the state government cease negotiations with VAILO, and why?

3. Had the state government or the South Australian Motor Sport Board already decided not to progress with VAILO's sponsorship extension prior to negotiations?

The Hon. E.S. BOURKE (Minister for Emergency Services and Correctional Services, Minister for Autism, Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing) (15:29): I thank the member for his question. This is an issue that covers many portfolios, as you may be aware, but my understanding is the contract with VAILO had expired. It was not about ending the contract: my understanding is the contract had expired.